Carrying case and locking means therefor



April 1 D. l. KORCHMAR 3,437,366

CARRYING CASE AND LOCKING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Dec. 2, 1966 INVENTOR D0/v KOPcHMA/g ATTORNEYS United States Patent US. Cl. 292-228 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The combination of a carrying case having interfitting annular edge members and a locking means composed of pivotal and stationary members mounted inside the annular members such that no part projects outside the said annular members.

This invention relates to a unique yet simple locking device for use on an attach case, brief case, valise, suitcase, luggage case or the like. It is contemplated that a carrying case utilizing the locking device taught herein, with the exception of a handle conveniently placed, will have substantially no parts extending beyond the confines of the shell and valance forming the compartment for the carrying case.

Typically, a carrying case such as an attach case comprises two rectangularly shaped frame members hinged together on the internal edge of one side. These members or strips may be fabricated from light weight metals such as magnesium, aluminum, or alloys thereof and coated on the outside for aesthetic purposes as well as to prevent scratching of the strips. A molded concave shell is secured to the outside of the respective frame members. The assembly is such that as the shells are brought together, a compartment or cavity is formed. To facilitate the fitting together of the frame members, each frame member or strip is provided with a flange and shoulder which engages respectively the shoulder and flange of the other. This assembly is locked by a plurality of pivoting arms mounted on the external side opposed to the hinged side of the frame members. Thus, by pivoting said arms away from the shell, a disengagement of the particular locking means is effected permitting the attach case to be opened by a separation of the frame members. This procedure, however, is somewhat cumbersome, exposes the pivoting arms, and is generally unsightly in appearance.

It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to provide a locking means for the traveling case that is wholly contained within the framework of said case.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a simplified construction and arrangement of parts whereby the locking means may be conveniently placed on a plurality of sides of the carrying case.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a streamlined carrying case utilizing the simple locking means described herein.

Additional objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows, especially when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the locking means of this invention in a secured position.

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation with parts removed of the device illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view with parts removed of the device illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of the lock- 3,437,366 Patented Apr. 8, 1969 ing means constructed and arranged according to this invention.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view similar to FIGURE 3 but including the mating frame members.

FIGURE 6 is a partial perspective view, with parts removed, from the inside of an open carrying case employing the locking means of this invention.

Referring first to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the locking device constructed in accordance with this invention, and designated generally at 10, is contained completely within the frame member 11 adjacent a corner thereof. The opening 12 in the frame member provides access to the locking device 10. FIGURES l-4- illustrate the several elements comprising the locking device as well as their relationship to one another.

The locking device 10 comprises a fixed member 13 having a channel 14 formed by extensions 15 and 16, which when used on a carrying case cooperate to underlie opening 12. An arm 17 is spaced from the upper portion of frame member 11 by the flanged lip 18, which in turn is secured to the frame such as by rivet 19. The channel portion is secured in a similar manner by attaching the flanged lip 20 to the frame immediately beneath the opening 12. The function of the holes 21 and 22, located in the corner portion of the respective extensions 15 and 16, will be described hereinafter.

A second element, the rigid L-shaped release member 23, is best illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 4. A first leg 24 of said member is the only element of device 10 exposed, i.e., its exterior surface lies flush with the surface of the frame member surrounding opening 12. A second leg 25 has two vertical projections 26 and 27, a downwardly projecting tip 28, and an intermediate surface 29. The projections 26 and 27 are also provided with holes 21a and 22a, which when aligned with holes 21 and 22, and held by pin 30, enable the release member 23 to pivot thereabout. Thus, as the first leg 24 is depressed into channel 14, surface 29 is pivoted upward, as is tip 28. To effect the return of said first leg 24, a duck-billed flat spring 31 is positioned intermediate surface 29 and the interior surface 32 of frame member 11. The spring 31 is secured in place by inserting pin 30 through the enlarged hinge portion 33 of spring 31, thereby resulting in the assembly as best seen in FIGURE 1. The spring as it is shown in FIGURE 1 is under compressiona further compression results from the depression of leg 24 whereby surface 29 urges the lips of the spring together. By releasing the force pressing leg 24 inwardly, the spring is free to expand, thereby reutrning release member 23 to the normal locking position.

It should be apparent that the vertical displacement of tip 28 can operate to release or lock anything engaged thereby. Thus, a flat projection 34 extends toward locking device 10 from the second frame member 11a. This projection contains a hole 35 or depression near one end which acts to receive tip 28 in the mated position of the frame members 11 and 11a. Projection 34 may be secured to the underside of frame lla'in a convenient way such as with rivets 36. To facilitate opening of a carrying case utilizing the locking means taught herein, it was found that by positioning a second spring 37 (FIG. 5) to act against the forward edge 38 of projection 34, the projection would be displaced to separate frame members 11 and 11a upon removal of tip 28 from hole 35. The place at which spring 37 is secured to the assembly is not critical to this invention. For example, due to the size of the carrying case, or the most convenient manner of construction, said spring may be attached to frame 11a, or to fixed member 13. In either case, it must be arranged so as to project into the space occupied in part by projection 34 when the case is closed.

The only limitation on the configuration for the frame members 11 and 11a critical to this invention is the ample width of frame 11, whereby the locking device may be conveniently secured to the frame and accessible from the outside through an opening therein. Finally, the perspective view of FIGURE 6 illustrates an unlocked or open position for a carrying case having frame members 11 and 11a and shell sections 41 and 41a respectively, and utilizing the locking means taught herein.

It should therefore be apparent that modifications may be made in the inventive device without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. For example, the primary fixed and pivotal elements may be extended in substantially only a single direction. That is, leg 25 and surface 29 may be parallel to leg 24. Thus, the action of this pivotal member would be in the nature of a teetertotter. For such an embodiment, the arm 17 would be merely an extension of channel 13. By this arrangement of parts, the locking device would be attached to and accessible from only a single side of the valance or frame member.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a carrying case having two concave shells, a metallic strip joined to the peripheral edge of each shell and constructed and arranged in such a manner as to interfit with the other strip when the carrying case is closed, the improvement comprising in combination therewith, a latch means for locking together the said strips in the closed position, comprising a fixed member having a channel formed in at least one end thereof and secured to the inside of one of said strips, a rigid latch release member mounted for rotational movement on said fixed member, a first end of said latch release member adapted to be engaged in its operative position by a second fixed member secured to the other of said strips, and the second end being adapted to move within said channel, spring means urging said first end toward the operative position, and means to separate said second fixed member from said channel when said latch member is in its release position.

2. The carrying case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said release member is L-shaped.

3. The carrying case as claimed in claim 1 including a second member secured to the inside of the second strip and having a recess therein, said recess receiving said first end of the release member in the operative position of said locking means.

4. The carrying case as claimed in claim 3 wherein said fixed member is L-shaped.

5. The carrying case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said last-named means comprises a spring action against said second member, whereby to displace said second member from said first end.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 365,760 6/1887 Rupf 292-213 382,728 5/ 1888 Peterson. 394,861 12/1888 Kadow. 958,864 5/1910 Engert et al. 2,196,049 4/ 1940 Andres. 2,251,138 7/1941 Knight. 3,174,785 3/1965 Marin 292228 3,266,830 8/ 1966 Appleberry. 3,323,823 6/ 1967 Slan 292-337 RICHARD E. MOORE, Primary Examiner. 

